First case of mumps reported on Island County

The first probable case of the mumps has been reported in Island County, said Dr. Brad Thomas, county health officer.

The county’s sole probable mumps patient is a 2-year-old boy who wasn’t in any group environments, he said.

However, the diagnosis is uncertain because the mother did not return with the boy for further testing. “She dropped off the radar,” Thomas said.

“There have been two other folks evaluated that were negative for mumps,” he added.

Statewide, mumps cases are mounting at a record rate, primarily in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties. As of Thursday, the Washington Department of Health reported 738 cases.

Most likely, Island County has dodged the outbreak because of its proximity and population.

Washington’s cases are mainly clustered around certain sub-populations, such as college dorms, fraternities, sororities and other places where people live in close contact to one another, Thomas explained.